Cornell du Preez intends to topple familiar foes

Having been out of action for more than a month, it is fair to assume the Southern Kings might be undercooked when they come to Scotland for their Guinness PRO14 game against Edinburgh at Myreside on Friday. But given the temperature drop they will have to endure on their passage from the height of the South African summer to the bitter depth of a Scottish winter, allusions to cooking are probably best avoided.

Cornell du Preez is all too familiar with what the Kings are about to experience. Born and raised in Port Elizabeth, where the Kings are based, Du Preez followed Alan Solomons, the former Edinburgh coach, to Scotland four years ago, but at least he had time to adjust before the winter set…